TELL OFCOM: This GB News segment about Net Zero is unfair and unbalanced

Watch: GB News host Patrick Christys refers to the Energy Secretary as “eco loon Red Ed” pursuing a “lunatic Net Zero agenda”

On 2nd October, GB News broadcast a highly unbalanced panel discussion on Net Zero in which the host and two guests made sweeping, controversial remarks about Net Zero and the Energy Secretary. There was one dissenting guest who was outnumbered by the other three.

The segment breached Ofcom rules 5.5 and 7.1. The former requires “due impartiality” on matters of public policy, while the latter requires the avoidance of “unjust or unfair treatment of individuals”.

Submit your complaint to Ofcom using this form and by following the guidance below. 

Programme details:

Programme title: Patrick Christys Tonight
Date of broadcast: 02 October 2024
Time of broadcast (24 hour clock): 21:00
Channel / station: GB News

Your complaint:

Subject: GB News broadcast a highly unbalanced segment criticising Net Zero where the Energy Secretary was described as an “eco loon”, “a lunatic” and an “eco-fanatic”. The segment violated Ofcom rules 5.5 and 7.1.

Description:

Here’s a few bullet points to include:

  • On 2nd October 2024, Patrick Christys hosted an unbalanced segment discussing measures from Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to stabilise the electricity grid. The segment featured one dissenting voice, while the host and two guests were in agreement in criticising Net Zero and Miliband.
  • Christys referred to Miliband as “eco loon Red Ed”, “the eco-fanatic energy minister, Red Ed Miliband” pursuing “his lunatic Net Zero agenda”, and alleged that he “has basically admitted that his Net Zero fantasy is going to make us poorer, colder and leave us shivering in the dark”. While hosts are able to share opinions under the Ofcom broadcasting code, this unfair treatment surpasses what is acceptable.
  • In agreement with Christys was guest Mark Littlewood, who criticised “this lunatic approach to energy, which is an absolutely pointless act of colossal self-harm”. Guest Adam Brooks also agreed, alleging that “Labour are incompetent, and I think he [Ed Miliband] is a lunatic”. Littlewood also told dissenting guest Nina Myskow that he does “not especially” believe that we should transition to renewables at all.
  • This segment failed to deliver “due impartiality” on a matter of public policy under rule 5.5, with the panel discussion skewed towards three critics making highly controversial comments about Net Zero and the Energy Secretary. Comments like labelling Miliband a “lunatic” violated Ofcom rule 7.1, requiring the avoidance of “unjust or unfair treatment of individuals”.
Deadline for complaints: October 30, 2024 11:59 pm

Submitting a complaint to Ofcom should take you less than 10 minutes and is completed via a form on their website.

Submitting a complaint to Ofcom should take you less than 10 minutes and is completed via a form on their website.

  • Ofcom is the UK’s public regulator for communications services. Among other responsibilities, their job is to ensure that TV channels uphold the Broadcasting Code. This code requires broadcasters to protect the public from harmful and offensive material, avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals and organisations, and report the news with due accuracy and impartiality.
  • Ofcom has real power to yield. Sanctions they can issue include directions not to repeat content, fines — and crucially, the power to suspend or revoke a TV channel’s licence to broadcast.
  • Ofcom must carefully consider every single complaint to see if their rules have been broken. If the complaint is strong, Ofcom will launch a formal investigation process.
  • Ofcom will not reply to each specific complaint but instead publishes records of the complaints received, investigations underway and breaches on their website, every fortnight.
  • Complaints must be about a specific breach of the code and submitted within 20 days of the program going to air.